Emmys 2023: Guest Actor In A Drama Series — Our Dream Nominees!
This year's Emmy contest for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series is getting significantly more attention than usual, and here's why: Some of the buzziest performances from the past 12 months — yes, we are indeed looking at you, Murray Bartlett and Nick Offerman — are eligible for recognition in this historically under-the-radar category.
Scroll through the list below to review all of our Dream Nominees (remember, these aren't predictions; they're wish lists) and then tell us if our picks warrant a "Hell, yes!," "Um, no" or "How could you leave off so-and-so?!"
For the record, 2023 Emmy nominations will be voted on from June 15-26, and unveiled on July 12. The 75th Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony is scheduled to air on Monday, Sept. 18 on Fox.
Scroll down for links to our previous Dream Emmy categories:
🏆 Outstanding Drama Series — Our Dream Nominees
🏆 Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series — Our Dream Nominees
🏆 Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series — Our Dream Nominees
🏆 Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series — Our Dream Nominees
🏆 Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series — Our Dream Nominees
🏆 Outstanding Comedy Series — Our Dream Nominees
🏆 Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series — Our Dream Nominees
🏆 Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series — Our Dream Nominees
🏆 Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series — Our Dream Nominees
🏆 Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series — Our Dream Nominees
🏆 Outstanding Limited Series — Our Dream Nominees
🏆 Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series — Our Dream Nominees
7. Murray Bartlett, The Last of Us
WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: As Frank, in concert with Nick Offerman as Bill, Bartlett took a minor character from the video game on which the show is based and made him fully realized and heartbreakingly human. Bartlett's easy openness was a loving counterpoint to Offerman's grumpy take on Bill throughout the course of the pair's 16-year relationship, particularly when a terminally ill Frank decided to end his life. Bartlett's eyes were wet but his voice was steady, and his gentle reassurances and undemanding tone steered the scene — and the episode — well into the realm of transcendent TV.
6. James Cromwell, Succession
WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: The veteran actor made a brief but unforgettable appearance in the HBO drama's final season when Logan Roy's more virtuous brother Ewan resurfaced for Logan's funeral. Ewan took the podium and delivered a eulogy that began with fond childhood memories and ended with a fire-and-brimstone attack on Logan's lack of moral fiber. Cromwell's bellowing voice and stern demeanor made sure that Ewan's words hit their target, even beyond the grave, and reminded us that not all Roys are hopelessly corrupt.
5. Alan Cumming, The Good Fight
WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: Cumming's long-anticipated Good Fight arc, which found him reprising his role as legendary blowhard Eli Gold, more than met our sky-high expectations. It helped that the internal censor-deprived character was no longer encumbered by broadcast TV's prudish censors, thereby allowing Eli to become the worst version of himself — and allowing Cumming to fully embody the colorful role. But it wasn't just the myriad F-bomb tirades that Cumming nailed. He also gave us glimpses of Eli's rarely seen humanity in scenes with daughter Marissa (Sarah Steele). Oh, Eli Gold, how we missed thee.
4. Lamar Johnson, The Last of Us
WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: Johnson's stint as Henry on HBO's post-apocalyptic drama was brief, but the impression he made was indelible. We cannot stop thinking about how quickly he built a loving, caretaking relationship with Keivonn Woodard's Sam, and how devastated he made us when Henry realized he had to kill his infected little brother. Johnson's initial expression of shock and horror at the sudden, violent loss of his beloved sibling was clearly his worst nightmare unfolding before his tear-filled eyes. And his anguish (that shattered, repeated "What'd I do?") beautifully conveyed in real time one man's struggle to comprehend the incomprehensible.
3. Nick Offerman, The Last of Us
WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: We'll admit it: Though we've long loved Offerman in comedic ventures like Parks and Recreation, we'd never considered him a dramatic actor... until Episode 3 of HBO's dystopian adaptation. His turn as the gruff-yet-sensitive survivalist Bill was a revelation, with Offerman conveying Bill's near-crippling insecurity as a gay man who'd never been in a relationship until one literally fell into his path. That interlude that started at the piano, as Offerman lowered Bill's defenses, was stunning in its vulnerability and simplicity. And his work as Bill struggled with Frank's decision to end his life, with Offerman looking like the onslaught of grief caused him physical pain, was so good it hurt us.
2. Paul Reiser, The Boys
WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: As the former Senior Vice President of Hero Management for Vought International-turned-informant for the Boys, Reiser's character was known as The Legend — and for good reason. As soon as Butcher & Co. showed up at his door for help, you knew The Legend was going to have some stories to tell. Reiser brought eccentric gravitas and a certain "I've seen it all, and I'm amused by it all" attitude to his role as the seasoned, Robert Evans-esque producer that kept the Boys and viewers, alike, captivated and entertained.
1. Andy Serkis, Andor
WHY HE DESERVES A NOD: No sooner had we remarked, "Wow! Andy Serkis is in Andor?!" than the veteran of genre fare started turning in a stirring performance. At first, his Kino Loy came off as a "company man," keeping his prison crew in line on an assembly line. But upon learning of their doomed existence, he collaborated with Cassian on an escape, then took to the PA system to rally the troops with his now-famous "One. Way. Out!" speech. We get chills, still.